KUCHING: As Malaysia prepares to celebrate Malaysia Day on September 16, the occasion serves as a reminder of the unity, trust and partnership that brought Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak together in 1963.
For Sarawak, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) remains a cornerstone of its rights, autonomy and development aspirations, symbolising the foundation upon which the federation was built.
Sarawak Tribune speaks to both federal and state leaders to gather their views on the significance of Malaysia Day, the progress achieved under the MA63 and their hopes for Sarawak’s future.
While notable advancements have been made in areas such as equal partner recognition, resource management rights, infrastructure and education, leaders emphasise that the journey towards fulfilling the promises of the MA63 is still ongoing.
Their insights highlight the importance of protecting Sarawak’s autonomy, fostering unity in diversity and ensuring that the spirit of Malaysia Day continues to inspire progress and partnership for generations to come.
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DATUK SERI DORIS SOPHIA BRODIE, Sri Aman MP
Malaysia Day marks the unity of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah in forming our beloved ‘Negara Ku’. MA63 remains a sacred foundation of our sovereignty and must always be upheld; ‘anang aja baka tebu, manis di pun tabar di ujung’ (Do not be like the sugarcane, sweet at the base but tasteless at the tip). in other words, be consistent in your actions and attitude from beginning to end. May we continue to rise above race, religion and region, united in diversity towards a just, peaceful and prosperous Malaysia. Happy Malaysia Day!
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DATUK SERI JOHN SIKIE TAYAI, Kakus Assemblyman
We had just celebrated National Day/Hari Kebangsaan. Malaysia Day which we are going to celebrate on September 16 is very significant to us as it is the birth of Malaysia when Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, Sabah and Sarawak formed together. Of course, we want more development for Sarawak to be a developed state by 2030. We also want what was promised to Sarawak to be given back to Sarawak.
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ROY AANGAU GINGKOI, Lubok Antu MP
Malaysia Day to me is very meaningful because it reminds us why this nation was formed in the first place, which is unity and the coming together of different regions and peoples. The foundation of Malaysia was the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and that agreement was important because it set out the rights and safeguards for all partners. Over the years, we’ve seen some encouraging progress where MA63 is concerned, with more recognition and action being taken by the government to honour what was agreed. Of course, there is still work to do, but the fact that the conversation is active and steps are being taken is already a positive sign. My hope is that we can continue in this direction, strengthen the trust between all parties, and make sure that fairness and harmony remain the core of our nation.
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BILLY SUJANG, Opar Assemblyman
Malaysia Day, celebrated on September 16, marks the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and carries profound meaning for Sarawak, as it is tied to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), a symbol of unity, diversity, and the autonomy guaranteed to the state. Progress on MA63 has been steady, with important milestones such as Sarawak’s recognition as an equal partner, the restoration of rights over natural resources, and greater devolution in education, health, and infrastructure, though challenges remain. While these achievements are encouraging, Sarawak continues to pursue the full realisation of MA63 as a living covenant of trust between the state and the nation. The state aspires to protect and strengthen its autonomy, drive economic growth through infrastructure and digital transformation, manage its resources sustainably, foster unity in diversity, and equip its younger generation with the skills, opportunities, and pride in heritage needed to thrive in a globalised world. Ultimately, the journey of MA63 is about ensuring Sarawak’s voice is heard, its rights upheld, and its people empowered. Malaysia Day serves as both a remembrance of past sacrifices and a call to build a shared future founded on partnership, respect, and progress.”
